Page 12

Chapter 12

McCoy

It took a lot to ruffle Coy’s feathers. Like, a lot , a lot. And yet, Sawyer Lavoie managed to do what few could. She ruffled the feathers. The fricking peacock, oh-so-confident hypothetical McCoy feathers. And laughed as she did so. Never in Coy’s life had she been so equally frustrated and turned on. The gall of that maddening woman! Did Sawyer expect Coy to be at her place every moment she wasn’t at her day job? And the way she’d asked for specifics, like she deserved to know what Coy was doing or with whom. Which she definitely didn’t. It wasn’t Sawyer’s business if Coy planned to take someone new home for the night. She’d seemed almost jealous at the prospect, but that wasn’t possible. Right?

“You’re miles away tonight,” Abi said, sneaking one of Coy’s fries. Coy and her friends were at O’Rourke’s to see the latest live band. They came almost every week, but for the first time in probably ever, Coy had considered backing out.

She sipped one of her favorite on-tap dark ales, loving the smoky taste as it slid down her throat, and shrugged. “Just not feeling it tonight, I guess.” Then, knowing Abi wouldn’t simply leave it at that, Coy added, “All the extra hours this week has me wiped.”

And I’m still salty as hell over the shit with Sawyer.

Thankfully, Abi didn’t press any further. Coy was content to be left alone, only half listening to Taunya’s latest work ordeal at the hospital. She sipped her ale, perusing the crowd in the pub that night. It wasn’t overly loud yet, as the band hadn’t started, but Coy found herself rubbing at the tension forming at the base of her neck. There was too much going on around her, and it took a minute before she spotted Naz and Ash cozying up against the wall near the restrooms. Naz caught Coy’s eye across the pub, a wicked grin appearing before she captured Ash’s lips with her own. When they came up for air, Naz held her hand out in Coy’s direction. Coy shook her head, waving them off before returning to her beer.

A hand landed on Coy’s arm, and Coy glanced over to see Abi staring at her, eyes widened in surprise. “Did I just witness a three-way proposition?”

“Er … I mean, yeah, I guess.” Coy smirked, trying to shake off her weird mood. Hooking up with Naz and Ash would certainly help with that, right? She needed to go back to her roots and keep things superficial and casual with possible lovers. Not get hung up on mixed messages and stolen glances from Sawyer.

Fuck, why can’t I go five minutes without thinking about her?

Coy sighed, lifting the glass to her lips again. It didn’t help that every time she thought of the time and energy it’d taken to try and bond with Sawyer, an uncomfortable blush appeared, and her pulse began to race. Shame . That’s what it was. She was embarrassing herself trying to get Sawyer’s attention, and to what end, exactly? She should never have sent those random facts via text message. So stupid. Sawyer was probably incapable of bonding with anyone, and surely not with someone as opposite in personality as Coy happened to be. Sawyer just demanded and made ludicrous assumptions about people. Well, enough of that. Coy wasn’t putting herself on the line anymore.

“Well, tell them you’re mine tonight. I know how you like it when a femme gives you an order.” Abi booped Coy on the nose with one long finger, affection warming the icy blue of her eyes.

Coy huffed a laugh, and a warmth as inviting as a gentle breeze blossomed in her chest. Somehow, Abi always knew what she needed to lighten the mood. “Touché, Abs. So what? Is the barber’s company lacking this evening?” She dodged a swat from Taunya.

“Quit picking on my sister, or I’m gonna start in on yours, playgirl.”

“Ooh, protective, are we? Good on you, Tauni.” Coy clinked her mug of beer against Taunya’s glass before switching into her best British accent, “We in the sibling sisterhood need to stick together. After all, we are the guardians of many sibling secrets and, of course, broken hearts.”

“Ugh, that accent, though.” Abi snorted a laugh, feigning a long shudder.

“Long-winded, but I’ll take it as an agreement of no future douchery.” Taunya pointed her finger at Coy in mock warning.

“What are you …” Tess’s stare was quizzical as she tried to piece together the current conversation. When her head looked like it could explode, she gave up, slumping in her seat and picking up her beer. “Know what? Never mind.”

Krystal looked amused. “You’re not used to Coy’s eccentricity, Tess? She’s special, but we adore her anyway.”

“H-hey. I take offense,” Coy protested with a surprised chuckle. She’d have thought Taunya would use that line, not Krystal. “Aren’t you supposed to be the quiet, shy one?”

Abi booped Coy on the nose again. “Didn’t you get the memo? Krystal’s evolving now that Tess is in the group.” Everyone laughed at that, even Tess.

Sloane approached their booth carrying a tray of appetizers, sliding in beside Krystal as she placed the tray down. “Whew, I’m zonked, and it’s not even eight.”

“Did you go on the trails today?” Coy frowned when her sister snatched the lager from her hands to take a drink.

“Yeah, me and J.D. Trying to get as much time on the trails as possible so I can win the rally this year. J.D. bet me in a race—and lost, of course. Kind of stupid to bet against me, but I’d never turn down an extra twenty bucks.” Sloane snatched a chicken wing from the basket Taunya was lifting from the tray.

Coy’s brows knitted together as she considered Sloane’s words. Why would she bet on that? Of course J.D. wasn’t ready to go up against her on the trail. Instead of starting an argument, however, she just gritted her teeth and said, “Well, don’t overdo it. And I hope you’re drinking plenty and eating. I made a batch of energy balls last night.”

“I saw them, Mom, and thanks.” Sloane rolled her eyes but thankfully never truly got offended by Coy’s smothering. She couldn’t help it. Most assumed Coy was the wild one out of the duo, but Sloane was the one who took most of the risks, on and off the trails.

“Oh, and here.” Sloane fished a folded-up note from her jeans pocket, handing it across the table to Coy. Slipping from the booth, she blew everyone kisses before picking up the serving tray once more. “Later, bitches. And Coy, make it snappy. She’s in a mood.”

“What if I’m in a mood? Does no one care?” Coy whined when her sister left, peeking at the note in her hands with one eye closed. She swallowed.

Come to me.

F

“Secret admirer?” Krystal asked, sparking with interest.

“Ooh, is it from la très belle Madame , along with her diabolical issues?” Abi eagerly asked, reaching across the table to try to grab the note.

Coy outmaneuvered her easily, tucking the note into the back of her jeans and muttering, “I shouldn’t have told you about Sawyer.”

“Told me?” Abi laughed. “I met her.”

“Sawyer who?” Taunya threw in, already munching her nachos and appearing entirely too invested in Coy’s story.

“And I can see the appeal,” Abi continued with a wink. “Sassy Sawyer’s definitely a hottie.”

“And I definitely shouldn’t have let you see my messages.” Draining the contents of her beer, Coy wiped her lips with the back of her hand. A kind of nervous excitement brewed in her stomach as she got to her feet. “I have to go.”

“Coy, wait,” Abi called, running after her in the nearly empty bar. She grabbed Coy’s arm, drawing her to a halt.

“Easy with the grip, Abs.”

“Are you still fooling around with Frankie?” Abi’s voice was soft, almost concerned for Coy, as she peered down at her from four-inch heels.

“Not really your business, but yes.”

“But didn’t you just tell me all about Sawyer the other day and how confused you were?”

Coy cleared her throat, thinking of her stare-down with Sawyer earlier. Even if Sawyer was attracted to Coy, she was too uptight to ever act on it. Coy had about as much chance with the ice queen as she did winning the lottery. She pulled the contract out that she’d been carrying around in her back pocket since that morning—rereading it for the fifth time to see if it indeed stated six days a week—and flicked it with her middle finger. “Look at this. Besides laying it out that I’m not allowed to snoop in her house, record the process of the rebuild, and that I have to be on time, she typed in bold letters how I’m not allowed to flirt. Not once, but three times. She doesn’t want me, Abs. I’m pretty sure she hates me, judging by this and the comments she made this morning. Besides, I’m not like you, okay? I’m not cut out for just one person.”

“Frankie isn’t good for you, and you know it.”

“I’ve gotta go,” Coy repeated, not wanting to have this discussion right now. She gave Abi a quick hug and left her standing there, heading toward the back of the bar. She checked behind the counter to make sure Frankie wasn’t there before continuing on to her office.

“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming,” a low voice greeted Coy as she closed the door to Frankie’s office.

Coy took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Of course, I’m here … Mistress .”